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<b><i>Background:</i></b> Aging results in a decline in the function of the respiratory muscles. Inspiratory muscle training is presented as a possible solution to attenuate the loss of respiratory function in the elderly. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of 2 protocols with inspiratory muscle training (IMT), low loads and high loads, to improve respiratory strength, functional capacity and dyspnea in institutionalized elderly women, over 65 years. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The study was a controlled, randomized, double-blind trial and with allocation concealment performed on 26 institutionalized elderly women distributed in 2 groups, the high-intensity group (HIG) and low-intensity group (LIG). Over an 8-week period an IMT protocol was followed 5 days/week, 15 min/day. The HIG trained with a load of 40% of the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and the LIG with 20%. MIP, maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), functional capacity and dyspnea were evaluated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> After training, in the HIG MIP, MEP and functional capacity increased 52, 16 and 7%, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.000, <i>p</i> = 0.001, <i>p</i> = 0.001) and in the LIG 30, 18 and 9%, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.002, <i>p</i> = 0.014, <i>p</i> = 0.001). The improvement in MIP was significantly higher in the HIG than in the LIG (<i>p</i> = 0.042). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> IMT with low and high loads improves respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in institutionalized elderly women. In addition, high loads were significantly more effective to improve MIP.

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been applied to different populations, but evidence in elderly women and maintenance of improvements achieved during training is scarce. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of IMT 6 months after finishing the training period in elderly women. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A controlled, randomized, double-blind trial was conducted, with allocation concealment performed on 26 institutionalized elderly women distributed into 2 groups: high loads and low loads. Over an 8-week period, an IMT protocol was followed; later, elderly women continued for 6 months with their daily normal activities. Inspiratory strength, expiratory strength, and functional capacity were measured pre-IMT, post-IMT, and 6 months after intervention. <b><i>Results:</i></b> After an 8-week training, respiratory strength and functional capacity increased in both groups. Six months after finishing the intervention, these benefits were lost. Inspiratory strength decreased in the high-loads group but was 32% higher than initial values (<i>p</i> = 0.007); in the low-loads group, patients lost 41% (<i>p</i> = 0.015). Improvements were higher in the high-loads group after training (<i>p</i> = 0.000) and follow-up (<i>p</i> = 0.002). Functional capacity was similar to initial values in both groups. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The improvements achieved with IMT in elderly women disappeared 6 months after the end of training. High loads were more effective to keep inspiratory strength than low loads.